Chapter 46

Exhaustion Prevention

Disclaimer: In regards to Velocity, I thought this would make sense to do. Especially in light of the downfall of the Pride. Jack 'Beast King' McCormick belongs to L1. Warning, this may be triggering for some.

Since the fall of the Pride, Terrell 'Velocity' Mason had found himself dealing with more and more trouble as various aspects of the Criminal Element began to run wild now that there was no one to keep a grip on things. It even felt like Compton had gotten even worse and he hadn't thought that was possible but sadly it had. So between dealing with the rising Crime and as well as School work, Terrell had not been getting as much rest as he normally would have and he knew it was only a matter of time before he slipped up because of that. But he was far too worried about everyone else that he ignored what his body and mind needed. The chaos of everything had even seen Terrell meet 17 year old Jack McCormick over in Malibu while dealing with a situation there, a Mutant like him who could turn into any Animal he wanted and called himself 'Beast King'. Jack himself had recently gotten involved in helping his local area out after his Mutation had activated and was doing what he could to help.

And while he had some training in self-defense thanks to a relative of his in the Military, he still had his work cut out for him. Terrell only hoped the whole thing wouldn't get Jack killed but promised his new friend to keep an eye out for him whenever he was able. Of course, if he didn't get some rest himself soon, things were gonna get real serious in a bad way. And tonight, the tired Wind Speedster had caught sight of someone standing at the edge of a building and hurried his way up there. Even using the Wind to do so so as not to break any windows on his way up there. His Domino masked eyes would widen when he caught sight of the individual while she screamed at him to keep back. For everything starting at the knee on down looked like it belonged to a Dinosaur. More specifically, a Velociraptor. "Whoa, hey, its alright! I just wanna make sure you're okay!" Velocity told her gently and thanks to how tired he was, not using his Speed to disguise his voice.

"Do I look like I'm okay!? I'm a &$*#ing freak!" Screamed out the Latina teen.

"You are not a freak!"

"Easy for you to say, Bendejo! You at least look normal while runnin' around like you're Speedy Gonzalez! This mierda has killed my dream of being a Dancer as I can't dance with these things!" Screamed out the girl once again.

For Jaqueline 'Jackie' Soto, Dancing had long been a passion of hers that she'd put hours into and was something she wanted to do Professionally once she was done with High School. Dancing was also something of an escape for the Teenager due to the fact her home life wasn't the greatest because her Papi was constantly bed-ridden and her Mami had to work a lot to make ends meet and rarely had time for her. But then, after a night of intense dance practicing, Jaqueline had gone to bed and woke up the next morning with everything starting at her knees on down looking like a damned Dinosaur! Jaqueline had freaked the Hell out and ran from her home and had eventually found herself where she is now with full intent to jump. For her dream and passion was effectively dead and she was certain there was no way in Hell her Parents were going to accept her. Staying where he was, Velocity talked once more in a gentle and soothing manner.

"What you're goin' through is certainly scary, no doubt there, but ending it? That's not the way to go. You can still dance, girl! Just have to learn a new way is all so please, step away from the edge! There's places like Xavier's who can help you come to grips with your Mutation!"

Letting out a watery and sarcastic laugh at that idea told the Wind Speedster exactly how she felt about that. And before he knew it, she went over the edge. "Aww Hell!"

Quickly, Velocity went into action and using the Wind to boost his descent, he managed to get the screaming girl into his arms and once they were on the ground, she started to beat on his chest. Not at all happy about anything until she collapsed against him as she cried. "Its gonna be okay, I promise, its gonna be okay." He murmured into her hair as on lookers watched the scene.

A little later saw him and Jaqueline meeting Professor Xavier and Alison Blaire so that they could help the transformed girl talk with her mother about everything. And while the woman was stunned and horrified to see what had happened to her daughter, she thankfully chose not to turn her away much to the shocked relief of Jaqueline. But her Mami did admit that perhaps it was best she went with either of the two as due to their situation, there was no way she was going to be able to handle her and her Papi's current state. It hurt but Jaqueline understood where her mom was coming from and ultimately chose the Cleveland School since it was safer and didn't tend to have Protesters around a lot. And those at the School there would be able to help her adjust to her new found situation and encourage her to keep on Dancing. Velocity would sigh in relief over how everything had gone and then head home and thanks to how tired he was, didn't even pull of his suit.

Which would be how his Mom would discover that her son is the Compton Hero known as Velocity! "I can't believe you didn't tell us!" Shouted his father a short time later in the Living Room.

And while Terrell was exhausted as can be, he was also now rather terrified. "Why didn't you tell us!? Especially with how you've been putting yourself in danger more and more! We wouldn't have turned you out, for God's sakes!" Cried out his mother, causing him to sigh heavily while flinching.

"I… I've heard a lot about how Mutants tend to get treated after they get their Mutations goin' and I just… Kinda panicked that it might happen between us." Explained Terrell tiredly and fearfully.

Finding himself tightly wrapped up in a hug by his crying mother as his father shook his head in dismay and looking to be on the verge of crying himself. "Son, you know us, we've always encouraged you to be the best version of yourself, hobbies and all! You know our history as former Black Panthers! I mean, haven't you noticed we've never said a word against Mutants!?"

Hell, as it is, he and his Wife both had been in talks with several of their old friends in the Black Panthers for some time now about seeing what they could do to help form better relations between Humans and Mutants. "I… Now that I think about it, I guess I haven't. I'm, I'm sorry, Pops."

His tearful mom pulled back from her hug to look him in the eye and all Terrell wanted to do was look away but he couldn't. "Baby, we are proud of you, make no mistake about that, but at the same time we are absolutely terrified about the fact you've been out there on your own and us not knowing! And clearly you've gotten yourself so tired you aren't thinking straight since I found you in your costume!" She told him and he winced but didn't say anything.

Knowing that was likely a bad idea to do given the current situation. "Which is why you are grounded for two weeks, Terrell." Announced his father much to the young man's shock and made to say something but his dad cut him off.

"Its only until you've rested, son, You need this more than anything and yes, a lot can happen in that amount of time but you need the rest."

"You… You aren't gonna make me stop!?"

"Would you actually stop?" Asked his mother while glaring at her husband.

As the Mother in her didn't want her baby out there on those streets fighting all manner of Criminals! But the Black Panther in her knew the importance of the work her baby boy is doing and that was certainly leading to something of a war inside of her. "I, well… No. I mean, I'd feel guilty doin' it behind your backs but small price to pay to keep the People safe out there." Admitted Terrell.

His father could only nod while his mother hugged him tightly again. "Go back to bed, sweetie, your father and I have a lot to talk about." She told him and not wanting to argue, Terrell did as he was told.

Allowing for his Parents to discuss the whole thing between themselves and he was out before his head had even hit the pillow. Two weeks of rest would do wonders for Terrell, even if a part of him did hate the fact he wasn't out there and by the end of it, would see him coming to a decision. Namely that of seeking to join the newly established West Coast Misfits with his Parents' permission and the condition that he got to keep doing as he always did so long as the team wasn't on a mission or in training. He'd even bring Jack along for the ride as well and while Wipe-Out would be shocked over what his Cousin had been doing, he'd also be pretty darn proud of him. And after Terrell joined the West Coasters, he'd find himself thinking back to a promise he made sometime ago.

Well, I guess I held up to my promise in the end after all!

Author's Notes: I really, really, REALLY hope I did a good job with this chapter. Jaqueline is my OC and like with the Death Squad, anyone is free to use her.